Coming Soon:

Sunday, July 18th

Photo Journal of The Baptisms of:

Emily Foltz

Megan Miller

Sue Bailey

Maggie Bailey

Friday - Day Five

God's Word is for everyone.


 

Bible Story:

The community of believers share.

(Acts 2:42 - 47)

Bible Buddy:

Lacy the Deck Spider

A map shows all the places we can go to share God's Word. 

God's Word is for everyone.

"Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created."

The Final Day

It is a complex set of mixed feelings when writing today's blog - after a week of successful and fulfilling evening activities, the week has come to a close.  The enjoyment of spending time together each night and getting to know the children of Devonsire has been most rewarding for us all.  More personally, the privilege of photographing the events and building this blog has been a deeply touching one.  To capture these children as they open their minds and their hearts to God has been no less than moving.

With all the personal rewards aside, this was also a particularly successful week for our church.

The proof is in the numbers:

41 Families attended Devonshire VBS, with over 50 children and we saw many new faces. 

55 Volunteers worked each evening to host the kids.  Before Friday's events, a volunteer dinner was provided.

$1250.47 was raised this week - supporting Devonshire's work for the children of Africa. 

With soothing music in the background, each family was given a blanket to tie together.

50 Blankets were made and coupled with coloring books containing personal messages for the little recipients. 

 

Once they were complete, each family quietly prayed over the blanket for the child who would be receiving this gift and then each VBS camper wrote a note to that child in the coloring book.

1 Superb VBS Director, Nicole Foltz,
organized people, food, activities and charity.

2 5-gallon buckets of ice cream, 13 toppings and...

...tables full of people - all enjoying the final moments of an extraordinary week.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to those of you who have visited this blog and looked for the posts each day.  Many of you have approached me to share your thoughts on the pictures and narrative and each comment was greatly appreciated.  Originally this was a blog built only for the purpose of communicating the profound nature of Vacation Bible School. 

It seems Devonshire Diaries has earned a more permanent place within the Devonshire family, however.  Please continue to visit us here as I continue to cover poignant events and random realizations...

For all of you, may God bless your day and your initiatives toward a Jesus-like Life.

Thursday - Day Four

God's Word is Life-changing.

Bible Story:

Peter and John teach us about Jesus.

(Acts 3:1 - 4:12)

Bible Buddy:

Salty the Pelican

The captain needs a wheel to change the ship's direction.  God's Word will change the course of your life - it's life-changing.

"Give me life through your word."

VBS is a great way to have fun and get our children to learn about the the teachings of our Lord.  Typically what goes along with it is lots of silliness, plenty of giggles and a touch of gentle seriousness.  Today, through the skit administered by Pastor Derek, Vacation Bible School became more about a deep understanding of who Christ is and how we can allow him into our hearts.  Four rounds of the same skit produced the same result from each:  Where the children normally ran from their skit to the next activity, today they walked.  The Crew Leaders, usually jubilant and joyous, were following the kids with swollen eyes and a slight smile.

Today's skit was a quiet, powerful demonstration of how the Lord has saved us and washed us of our sin so that we may live a life as close to His as we so desire.  Derek spoke of how He has given us life, and now it is up to us, as people, to make positive decisions and to withstand the forces that work against a Christ-like life.  We must make the choices, but He is here to guide us and show us the way.

On a dark stage, each child was 'untied' from sin and draped their faith on the arms of the cross.  Soft music played in the back ground.  Wiggly children sat still while they silently watched each other drape the promise of faith on the arms of our saviour and every now and then, as a child carefully cast their ties, you could hear him whisper, "God has saved me." 

One of the coordinators for VBS was talking with me about the work that goes into organizing a whole week's worth of activity, snack and worship - the manpower alone is so staggering. 

People have asked, "Is it worth it to do all this work?" 

Her inherent answer was,

"Absolutely.  If we reach one child in this week, it will be worth it.  And for all the others, you just never know what kind of impact this could have for them down the road."

Her words are so inspiring and her passion for these children is what makes a week like this so successful.

See below for a few other snippets from last evening's events.

Two new additions to the Devonshire Family.

and

two future VBS participants.

Sir Anthony of Surrey

taking a moment from his ball tossing excursion to point his toe and throw me a most debonair glance.

Girl Power at its finest.

Today's Creative Nibblet

is in homage of our dirty sin (chocolate cookie crumbles)

overwhelmed by the purity of God's love (whipped topping)

and then washed away by His blood (cherry topping)

Today's craft...

Two campers contemplate God Time teachings.

For these two, the pews were just too confining...

Dancing needs to be done in the aisle!

After I took this shot, Mason (right), a child of modern day technology, asked to see the picture.

When I showed it to him, I said, "Look at you!  You're such a cutie!"

His response:

"Yes!  I am!"

Forget Silly Bands... I think we can see here what the latest craze is.

 An aerial view of some of our Vacation Bible School campers...

Tomorrow is the last day of this glorious week...  Volunteer Dinner starts at 5.30, followed by a parent's tour through our lessons and then finishing with an ice cream social in Fellowship Hall.

See you there!

Wednesday - Day Three

God's word is surprising.

 Bible Story:

Paul Survives a bite by a poisonous snake.

(Acts 28:1 -10)

Bible Buddy:

Wink the Look Out Monkey

Wink is always looking for all the

big, wild, amazing and incredible surprises

in God's Word.

As Devonshire's ministry blossoms in the hearts of it's young, we are discovering ways He is finding his way to each and every one of them.

Typically I prefer to keep these blogs to a more general, information-sharing stature; but today there is more to share and it brings a bit of my personal life into this documentary of our special week.

After our third night of VBS, I was driving the kids home.  The music whispered in the car ever so slightly, so we could talk.  The windows were down and we enjoyed the first cool night in some time.  The hum of passing cars interrupted the purr of the tires on the pavement.  Street lights shone in through the open windows and the wind blew in our hair.  I glanced over at my daughter and she her face reflected a quiet moment of introspection.

As we pulled into the neighborhood, she began to talk:

"Mummy, I think I'm feeling Jesus.  I was looking at the ground back there, and I think I saw Jesus face.  But then I looked again, and there was only a branch in the road."

The streets were quiet and we rolled into the driveway.  I put the car in park and turned my attention to her.  The parking lights cast a glow across her hopeful face as she looked at me for an explanation. 

Before I spoke, I looked directly in her eyes,

"Liv, Jesus is everywhere.  He shows himself in many ways - most of them unexpectedly, but it is always when he wants you to see him.  Every time you think of Jesus, it is because he is close by and he wants you to remember him always." 

My normally turbulent daughter was silent, looking back at me with glassy blue eyes.  She was struck with those words.  I looked into the backseat where my son was sitting.  He was looking back at me with the very same look on his face.  They couldn't speak and I could feel the significance of the words myself.

Vacation Bible School has brought to the forefront of their minds what I have spent years looking for myself... a reason.  A way.  A light and a beacon of never-ending, unconditional love. 

All we have to do it look for it. 

May you all have a moment like this with your children...

Today at VBS, our children studied this verse:

"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions."

Play skits for all to enjoy and participate

Emily shows off her work of (he)art, while the others continue theirs.

Another creative snack:  a sea of blue jello, the sandy beach of a 'nilla wafer and the snake that bit Paul

Little Wonders...

With wide open hearts.

and little angels all over the place...

To all parents:  Please remember, everything the volunteers teach during VBS is just a start. 

The rest of it blossoms at home, for you to nurture and cultivate.

With blessing to all,

Devonshire Church

Tuesday - Day Two

God's Word is Comforting.

Bible Story:

God comforts Paul in a storm at sea.

(Acts 27)

Bible Buddy:  Marina the Dolphin

The Bible is comforting, like an anchor in a storm.

You can hold tight to God's Word.

As the children began to arrive and the church was abuzz with excitement and happiness!   With the added good news of the Devonshire Softball Championship win (see previous post) the people of our church were in great spirits! 

Pictures below show a few of the activities in which our children participated...

Today's skit was lead by Skipper Nicole as she brought the kids through the journey of  Paul as this kids help her to weather the storm.

The snack for the day is a delicate, imaginative idea:

A boat of ranch dressing with a sail of cheddar, afloat a body of wavy blue tortilla chips.

In the nursery upstairs, the little tykes get ready for their craft.  As I try to sneak a picture of Lisa without disturbing the class, my plan is foiled - Lily jumps into the shot to offer a frantic wave hello.  I couldn't help but giggle at her Lily-ness...

After an afternoon of dodging my lens, I get Skipper Eric to stand for me so I can take his picture.  Eric is a favorite among the kids of VBS.

Below:  The kids had a great craft - Pillow Cases!  For the comfort of the Lord,

"Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles."

Thank you again to all the volunteers who are creating such a wonderful place for us

all to be in the evenings this week. 

With our sincerest gratitude for all you do, Devonshire VBS campers

Devonshire Champs!

DEVONSHIRE SOFTBALL IS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!

It started out as a slow burn, but a sudden spark toward the end created a fire within our boys that could not be snuffed...

It didn't get interesting until the end - the very end.  The men of Devonshire were at the top of the seventh and the score was 2 - 1, Christ the Saviour... a dismal, upsetting score.  Just as the boys were coming to terms with the idea of losing, things took a turn.  Keep reading....

First of all, Daniel Stutzman - Devonshire's biggest fan - was inundated with the needs of our Vacation Bible School and was, sadly, unable to attend.  He is this team's lucky charm, however, and was kind enough to lend us his shirt in his absence.

John - Pitcher

Sam works the outfield

Eric - Catcher Extraordinaire

John, foreground

Todd, Focus

DJ, Outfield

Just when things were getting painful: Rich, team captain, is up to bat... I have been sitting behind him as he has watched his team's enthusiasm decline with each inning.  Pastor Todd speaks a few encouraging words and Rich takes the plate.  A triple.  The team goes nuts.

John is up next - a member of three softball teams, he knows how to hit the ball and make it count.  Everyone holds their breath and on the second hit, he brings Rich home. 

The score is 2 - 2: It's a new game.

Up to bat is DJ. 

Now, I don't know DJ very well.  I have had very little face time with him and frankly, from what I gather, the guy is... well, intense.  He is one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet, but uber competitive and totally invested in his game.  He throws himself all over left field, catching the un-catchable and throwing from distances unregistered.  He's sort of a softball "super freak" if you will.  This is the guy whose shoulders the future of the championship are upon.  It's a good omen.

DJ goes in for the hit and it sets sail, like threading a needle, just out of the reach of the opposing outfielders.  Just out of reach... just outside the fence.  HOME RUN!  DJ runs into a crowd of giddy soft ballers. 

The score is now 3 to 2 ; Devonshire.

It's the bottom of the seventh and all Devonshire needs to do is hold them.  Just HOLD them. 

Pastor Todd, once again, "Okay guys, we know defense.  That's all it is." 

The crowd agrees and our boys take the field. 

An out on a runner, then a pop fly to Ryan and before you know it, Devonshire has only one to go...

A pop fly!  Everyone watches and time slows down.  In slow motion, all players, umpires, and spectators have their eye on the ball heading straight for Jordan Fetters.  Jordan has an impressive record of catching these, and everyone knows it.  The opposing team grimaces, the spectators look on with hope and his team members grin to themselves.  The ball lands, in slow motion, directly in his glove with a soft snap. 

The game is won.  Devonshire has won the championship.

Jordan is tackled by his teammates and the celebration ensues... our boys brought the trophy home for a second year in a row.  For the third time in five years. 

Congratulations to our Heroes. 

Congratulations to our men: 

You have been an excellent example of teamwork, sportsmanship and class.